Behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. —Luke 2:10

It is true that these good tidings of great joy were to be “for all people,” but not first. The message falls on our own ears, and is first for our own souls.

Oh, ponder this well! Take all God’s truths home first to thine own heart. Ask in earnest prayer that the Spirit may write them with the pen of heaven on thine own conscience. Then wilt thou be a vessel fitted for the Master’s use, and carry His message with spiritual power to the souls of others. —F. Whitfield